May 17, 2012. Posted by Brandy Wood.

WBGO Jazz 88.3FM swept the Radio Category with First Place honors in General News, Public Affairs and Arts & Entertainment at the 2012 New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) awards ceremony held May 15 at The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in New York. NYABJ recognizes the best in Print, New Media, Radio, Magazine and Television reporting on issues that affect the Black Diaspora.

The evening opened with a tribute to Gil Nobel, host of Like It Is, lovingly delivered by Eric Tait, whose productions have aired on WBGO in celebration of Black History Month.

Eric Tait with Doug Doyle at the NYABJ dinner 2012

WBGO received awards in the following categories:

First Place in the Spot General News Radio Category: "Newark Shootings" Reporting from Newark City Hall, WBGO’s Monica Miller spoke with Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Police Director Samuel DeMaio about a targeted shooting spree by drug dealers which left a 15-year-old dead.

First Place in Public Affairs/Radio Category: "Conversation with Allan Wolper - Frank Lucas" Host Allan Wolper had a candid conversation with former Harlem drug king Frank Lucas, who at one time was smuggling massive shipments of pure heroin to the United States from Southeast Asia on military transports. Now, Lucas counsels teenagers to remain in school and stay drug free. Conversations with Allan Wolper airs on WBGO Wednesday nights at 7:30, alternating each month with SportsJam with Doug Doyle.

First Place in Arts & Entertainment/Radio Category: "Ailey Camp Newark" WBGO News Director Doug Doyle reported on the final concert in the inaugural season of Ailey Camp Newark. Through funding of the Prudential Foundation, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater held summer camps in Brick City. Doyle took listeners through a magical night of dance, music, skits and fun at NJPAC in this in-depth feature that aired on the WBGO Journal.

“This year's awards reflect WBGO's commitment to telling stories you don't hear anywhere else. The art of story-telling is a big part of what we do, and listeners are treated to so much more than a sound bite," said News Director Doug Doyle. "We are excited that the WBGO Journal and Conversations with Allan Wolper continue to be recognized by NYABJ, and we will hold these prestigious awards as barometers of the caliber of work that we will continue to present to our listeners."

The WBGO News Department has won more than 60 NYABJ Awards since 1998.

Since its inception in 1976, NYABJ has a legacy of providing professional and moral support to its members, which include reporters, editors, photographers, graphics editors, art directors, public relations professionals, students and academics. This year’s New York awards were judged by NABJ's Dallas Chapter.